Just bought a cross trainer ... now what?

heniko

Hi everyone!

Have a question ... just bought a cross trainer (elliptical trainer ). It did not come with any routine to follow - so I am wondering if you all can suggest a routine(s) for me and my husband.

I am trying to loss weight. I am 170cm 110kg.

My husband just wants to get in shape. He is 187cm and 82kg.

Thank you very much ...

kimmerroze

do the intervals! that is what I do and I love it!

heniko

What intervals? Sorry I am totally clueless ... looking online now for some routine(s) but not finding much. Is working out on for 30m non-stop fine?

kimmerroze

Yeah that will work... and as far as what intervals... it depends on our capability... I have been working out for some while so I do level 10 for 2-4 minutes then drop it down to level 6 for 2-4 minutes then back up and then back down and I can go for an hour....


But start where you are comfortable... maybe level 4 for 2-4 minutes then level 2 for 2-4 minutes. and do that for a half hour.

ccrawshaw

I think ellipticals are really hard, especially when you first start out. I practically fell off mine after 10 minutes the first time, but now I can do 30 before jumping on another machine. Just get on it and do what feels good at first and worry about a program or changing things up when you've built up some stamina and strength. That's my two cents' worth....

heniko

Thanks for the advice friends!

I managed to do 10m then5m rest then 10m again on the middle setting --- and my slim husband could only manage 5m!!!!! This made me very happy! I think I like this machine since I am turn on my music or TV and work out ... been extremely rainy and cold this winter so many times I could not go out walking (my main workout)!!!!

Zuznana

When I first started with personal trainer, she told me to do 20 mins a day, just to get use to it. when I had no trouble to do it, she said gave me this plan.....

5 mins warm up
30 sec fast
60 sec slow (or 90 secs to start with)
30sec fast
60 sec slow (or 90 secs to start with)
30 sec fast
60sec slow.....etc till you reach 20 mins
5 min cool down

after couple of weeks of doing this, I cut the warm up and cool down to only 3 mins. I have now actually started using the cross trainer again, so am trying to get to that too.

heniko

Thanks Zuznana I will try this out!